Networking in the modern knowledge society: experiences from the European Network for Universities of Applied Sciences (UASNET) by Drs Tamara Wanker

Networking in the modern knowledge society: experiences from the European Network for Universities of Applied Sciences (UASNET) South African Technology Network (SATN) Conference, July 2009 Tamara Wanker (wanker@hbo-raad.nl) HBO-raad (Netherlands Association of Universities of Applied Sciences) www.uasnet.eu

European Network for Universities of Applied Sciences (UASNET) ----------------------------------------

Background

Overall goal and activities

Current European project

Justification, goals, activities, results

Thoughts for further consideration

Background UASNET and first results ---------------------------------------------------

Informal grouping end 2004 of 8 partners

Wish to clarify professionally oriented higher education within Europe

↓

‘ BaLaMa’-project: ‘Bachelor for the Labour Market’

In-depth country reports and brochure

Shared profile and set of general descriptors

Berlin Conference March’07, Study visit October ‘07

UASNET today: partners --------------------------------------------------- 11 National Associations for Universities of Applied Sciences: The Netherlands (2004) Germany (2004) Ireland (2004) Austria (2004) Denmark (2004) Switzerland (2004) Finland (2004) France (2008) Estonia (2004) Portugal (2008) Lithuania (2008)

UASNET today: overall goal and activities ---------------------------------------------------

Informal Network for Universities of Applied Sciences

Focuses on:

Profile of UAS in Europe:

-Peer learning activities/investigations> European projects

-EU lobby > Task Force

International exchange of national developments

Platform for UAS and partners from business, SMEs, public sector

The new European Project of UASNET ‘EDUPROF’: ‘ Educating the new European Professional in the knowledge society’

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3 year project: October 2008 - October 2011

Financed by:

European Commission (Lifelong Learning Programme, Erasmus, Structural Networks),

Dutch Ministry of Education,

Municipality of the Hague

Cooperating partners

EDUPROF: Deepen and broaden UASNET ---------------------------------------------------

Deepening:

focus on core element of professional education mission UAS: challenge to integrate the combination of education and applied research in the curricula of the new European professional, placing UAS in the middle of the knowledge triangle

Broadening:

Inviting other Associations of UAS and their member institutes

European Stakeholders’ Groups as sounding board:

EARTO, UEAPME, Errin

Relevance of the new project ‘EDUPROF’ ---------------------------------------------------

Justification:

Align education in the best possible way to professional practice

Assist world of work (SMEs, business, public sector) with concrete innovation demands

focus on applied research

1. Demand from world of work for new professional

European knowledge society demands highly skilled

professionals, equipped for fast-changing professional

practice, who can handle:

new knowledge which is available at an ever increasing rate,

the development of innovative solutions which can be applied in practice without too much transfer problems,

the use of a sound multidisciplinary approach,

and the integration of professional practice in the European context

UAS are in the process of adjusting their education. The key to bridge the gap from education to fast changing professional practice > applied research

2. Concrete innovation demands from world of work ---------------------------------------------------

Applied research enables UAS to:

Keep in close contact with innovative demands from the world of work

Offer assistance in developing innovative solutions for professional practice

Keep education up-to-date to present and future demands

Meet further education needs from the life long learning professional

> UAS contribute to the knowledge society and

life long learning in Europe

Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS) Research Education Skills of the professional knowledge worker Innovation

Putting the pieces together: UAS as linking pin in the knowledge triangle Education Innovation Skills professional Research

Now it is time for the European dimension on applied research: --------------------------------------------------- Central issue for UAS and society Contributes to social and economic goals of Europe ↓ Mirror regional and national experiences of individual institutes and stakeholders to the European level Offer European platform for UAS, new partners and stakeholders

Expected outcomes ---------------------------------------------------

Quality applied research (internal goal)

>How to ensure and embed research of good quality:

Share best practices, networking

challenge: standing networks of professionals from UAS and stakeholders (to set up joint activities, develop new initiatives)

2. Boost applied research (external goal)

> Recognition and funding:

More visibility

Better understanding

More and better funding and preconditions

Adjusted European programmes for applied research

Content of the ‘EDUPROF’ Project: activities ---------------------------------------------------

Phase I:

Research process

International Conference

Phase II:

Expert meetings

Study visits

Detailed benchmark (qualitative approach indicators)

Closure Event

Website www.uasnet.eu

Brochure

First results of the ‘EDUPROF’ Project

Research report ‘Research at Universities of Applied Sciences in Europe. Conditions, achievements and perspectives.‘

International Conference , February 2009

Position Paper towards Bologna 2020

Evening Reception with European Commission and Permanent Representatives, April 2009

Bologna declaration :

Education, research and innovation

15. “ Higher education should be based at all levels on state of the art research and development thus fostering innovation and creativity in society. We recognise the potential of higher education programmes, including those based on applied science, to foster innovation .